Chapter II: The Warning
Two days passed without much excitement. The dead were buried, the wounded either became healthy or died, there was no news of Faramir, and Aragorn grew grim. The thought of his upcoming marriage did not sit well with him.
Aragorn had always been the very emblem of freedom. He had been a Ranger for years, ruled by no man but himself, his path dictated only by the weather, his sword bound only to his own defence. Never once in his life had he been bound to a maiden by duty or love.
But everything had to change. Aragorn had reclaimed his throne, and to promote peace between Men and Elves, would agree to marry Lord Elrond's beautiful daughter Arwen.
"When will the marriage take place?" I asked him once. The mirth in Aragorn's eyes dimmed, for he hated to discuss the subject. We were in the king's study, sharing a drink.
"A week before my coronation. They want Arwen to become Queen beside me."
"They, my lord?" I inquired.
"Lord Elrond, Lord Celeborn, and Lady Galadriel. They have been planning this for years apparently. I still cannot believe they would do such a horrible thing to Lady Arwen." Aragorn's bitter mood tainted his words.
"Will they be coming to Gondor to witness your marriage?"
"No. They want the marriage to be held in Rivendell. They say Arwen requested it, but I believe Elrond wanted to have the wedding there."
"Why?"
"So that I can only bring a few of my men. Just in case I decide to leave before the wedding."
"And do you plan to depart prematurely?" Aragorn smiled bitterly.
"It is tempting. But no, I will not leave. Peace is more important than my happiness." Aragorn leaned back in his chair, taking a small sip. "Can you imagine it, Boromir? After an age of war and darkness, we can achieve full and everlasting peace with one marriage. Think of it, Boromir! Indeed, peace is far more important."
"Peace," I said quietly, staring into my goblet. "I have not known peace in a long time."
"He will return, Boromir," Aragorn said reassuringly. I nodded faintly, and swirled the red wine about in the goblet, trying to recall my brother's face. I could only remember his eyes, the deep grey eyes that had always been quick to sparkle with delight when I had been near. Faramir had always had a deep admiration for me, one that I could not understand. Perhaps it was merely because I loved him and expressed that love whereas his father, who had loved him deeply as well, could not.
"So much has changed since we last saw each other," I murmured. "So much for the better." A pang of guilt pierced me as I spoke the words. I did indeed grieve for my father, but by his death my brother was now free.
"Yes, much has changed for the better, Boromir." I nodded and watched my king's eyes. Never on any other creature's face have I seen such eyes. They could hold such emotion, such passion. Looking into Aragorn's eyes was like peering into his soul. Though he could always keep a stern, detached visage no matter what was happening around him, his eyes would always reflect the inner turmoil within him.
I watched sadly as Aragorn smiled and sipped his wine, his eyes filled with the torment of a man that was caught between the needs of others and the desires of himself.
Three days later, Aragorn, fifty soldiers, and myself set off for Rivendell. It was a strangely quiet journey, for most of the men had never gazed upon an Elf, much less an Elven kingdom.
No one knew the purpose of this great outing, except that Aragorn had important business with Lord Elrond. Stories circulated, as they always did. Soon it came to my ears that some men believed we were travelling to Rivendell to prevent a war between Men and Elves. I quickly put an end to that rumour, though I myself began to wonder if that was the purpose of Aragorn's marriage to Arwen. He had spoken of the marriage as if it would not only assure peace but also heal a rift between Aragorn and Lord Elrond.
I knew that Aragorn has spent many years with Elrond after the death of his father. I had always assumed the two had been close, but as our destination grew closer and Aragorn's anxiety and irritation increased, I began to doubt my original theory.
After a few days travel, we reached the country of Rohan. I was not at all impressed by the first villages we passed by, of course, I had not known at the time that only months before those villages had been utterly destroyed by Orc raiders dispatched by the late Wizard Saruman.
We reached Edoras, the fortress where King Theoden sat on his throne. Aragorn had chosen to visit the king to thank him for sending a large force of men, both spearmen and horsemen, to Gondor's aid during the Battle of Pelennor Fields.
Theoden was tall and thin, with blonde hair finely dusted with old age. He had sharp, hawk-like features. If any man had the look of a seasoned warrior, it was he.
"King Theoden, I humbly thank you for your support in the past war. Gondor greatly needed and appreciated your men." Theoden smiled as Aragorn bowed his head in recognition.
"It is not only I who deserves your thanks."
"Lord?" Aragorn asked, caught off guard.
"Lord Eomer and Lady Eowyn also led the men. They have not returned yet. Do you plan to stay long?"
"I'm afraid I have pressing business with Lord Elrond."
"I see. And does this business involve Lady Arwen?"
"Indeed."
"I had guessed as much. Elrond sent word to me of your approaching marriage. I have been invited to a banquet in Lady Arwen's honour, but have not received an invitation to the wedding."
"You are invited to attend," Aragorn replied.
"I accept your invitation. I will depart as soon as Lord Eomer and Lady Eowyn return. You have not yet met my sister's children, have you?"
"No, Lord King."
"Eowyn will be delighted to meet you. She admires your acts greatly." Theoden smiled again.
"I will be honoured to meet her," Aragon said. I glanced at him, looking into his eyes, and was surprised to see true interest. Theoden also recognized that interest, for his grin grew broader.
"Some call her the Shieldmaiden of Rohan. Others call her the Wraithslayer. Have you heard of her acts at Pelennor Fields?"
"I have not," Aragorn answered.
"She saved my life. I was attacked by the Witch King of Angmar, and was dreadfully wounded. Eowyn stepped between myself and the mightiest servant of Sauron and with a terrible cry and struck him down."
"She is a great warrior indeed," Aragorn murmured.
"Ah, but her strength and skill cannot compare to her beauty. She is the Star of Rohan. Her hair is more golden and vibrant than the sun, her skin paler than the tusk of an oliphaunt. But it is her eyes that are truly captivating. You will never see such sapphire eyes again, Aragorn. Many a man have gazed into those azure eyes and have lost their hearts in doing so."
"Has she lost her heart to someone?" Aragorn asked quietly.
"Perhaps," Theoden replied, his blue eyes growing uncertain. "When we last spoke, she told me of a mighty man she saw on the battlefield, and described him so wonderfully to me that I wondered if she had seen a man or a higher creature."
"Do you intend to arrange her marriage?" My king asked. I glanced at him, surprised at his prying. Aragorn was not the sort of man to ask such questions.
"Indeed not! Eowyn has an independent spirit. If I chose a husband for her, why she'd run off with a simple soldier just to spite me. And she could do it easily. Half the men of Rohan are in love with her. Oh, forgive me, Aragorn. I have taken too much of your time. Please, rest your men here tonight. I have food prepared for all."
"Thank you, Lord King," Aragorn said politely. "I should like to retire."
"Of course. Hama, escort King Aragorn to his quarters." As soon as the two left, Theoden turned to face me. His previously happy grin was replaced by a troubled frown.
"Beware, Lord Boromir."
"Lord King?" I asked, caught off guard.
"Trouble is brewing in Rivendell. Lord Elrond has been very angry with Aragorn ever since Aragorn left Rivendell those many years ago. You king thinks that by marrying the Evenstar he will achieve peace and friendship. And that may be so, but…"
"But what?" I asked.
"If anything goes wrong, the peace between Men and Elves will not last. They have looked down upon us since our creation. They used to believe we were weak and insecure, but our victory over Sauron has worried them. They are beginning to see our strength. They are beginning to feel threatened."
"Are you suggesting the Lord Elrond will start a war?"
"I cannot be certain, of course. But watch, Lord Boromir. Watch and be wary."